Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Project
Upcoming Preliminary Work in Preparation For Major Construction
Amesbury, Newburyport, and Salisbury

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s (MassDOT) design/build contractor for the Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Project, Walsh-McCourt JV1, will be performing preliminary work to prepare for the start of major construction. The work will require day and night lane closures throughout the project limits. Lane closures will be in the north and southbound directions on the bridge itself and on both sides of I-95 within the project limits. Daytime closures will be limited to single lanes. Nighttime closures may be single or multiple lanes, depending on the location. Lane closures will be during non-peak travel times. The activities and schedule are as follows:

Week of July 8:

· Install erosion controls throughout the project area

· Layout and saw cut pavement for traffic barrier line on interstate at northern end of project area

· Prepare staging area on Spring Lane

· Mobilize equipment for Whittier Bridge Pier 3 construction, the northern most bridge pier on the Amesbury side of the Merrimack River

Week of July 15:

· Begin removing trees and shrubs in right-of-way

· Continue saw cutting for traffic barrier

· Begin installing Pier 3 cofferdams

Week of July 22:

· Start installing temporary traffic barrier on interstate at northern end of project area

The project is part of the Patrick Administration’s $3 billion Accelerated Bridge Program. The Whittier Bridge is a critical regional transportation link for people and commerce. The project will bring the bridge up to current safety standards and increase highway capacity to handle projected future traffic volumes. In addition, the project includes the first shared-use path along a Massachusetts interstate.